Using Skype and Mobile Device as a wifi Microphone

Installation instructions to use the iPad / iTouch / iPhone with VoxCommando (can also use with all other mobile devices that work with Skype).

Disclaimer: while this method can work, it is a bit complicated to set up and may not be the most practical choice. You may want to explore other options first.

It is possible to speak to VoxCommando using any mobile device that supports Skype and has a microphone. Devices include but are not limited to:

• iPad
• iPod 3G or higher (may require addition of a microphone)
• iPhone
• Android
• PSP (PlayStation Portable)

If you have a Skype online number it may be possible to make commands from any phone, but at the time of writing this guide, this has not yet been tested.

System Requirements

Hardware:

• PC + Mobile device able to connect to Skype (probably best to be using wifi on your LAN).

Software for mobile devices:

• Skype (Should be available for free in the Application Store for your mobile device)

Software for PC:

• Windows Vista 32/64 or Windows 7 32/64 (required by VoxCommando)
• Skype (www.skype.com)
• VoxCommando http://www.voxcommando.com
• Virtual Audio Cable (VAC) http://software.muzychenko.net/eng/vac.htm

Installation

• Install VoxCommando and Skype on your PC (create an account for Skype).
• Install Skype on the mobile device and also create an account here.
  • Important: This account cannot be the same as on the PC, because a Skype account cannot call itself.

Fig. 1 VAC-Control Panel Step 1: Install VAC and set # of cables to 2 Install VAC Open the VAC-Control Panel Under "Driver parameters" set "Cables" to 2 (Fig.2) click "Set" button. Control Panel can be closed.	Fig. 2 Set to 2 cable
Fig.3 Step 2: Start Skype On the main menu click: Tools >> Options On the left, click: "Audio Settings" (Fig. 3) For the microphone dropdown select: "Line 2 (Virtual Audio Cable)" For the speakers dropdown select: "Line 1 (Virtual Audio Cable)" On the left click: "Call settings" If necessary click "Show advanced options" Enable (checkmark): "Answer incoming calls automatically" At the bottom click "Save".	Fig.4
Fig.5 Setting speech options Step 3: Setting input device for speech recognition On the menu at the top: Select (Options - Open Options) On the "System Tab" Click on "recognition", which will open the Windows language features (Fig.5). In the lower part of the window on the "extended" button, so that the "Audio Input Settings" window opens (Fig.7). Under "Use this audio input device" select "Line 1 (Virtual Audio Cable)" and confirm with "ok" Close all windows with "OK" and accept the new settings in VoxCommando with "save and close". Turn VoxCommando off (red) and then on (green) to connect to the new virtual microphone.	Fig.6
Step 4: Finished! On the PC, start Skype and VoxCommando Using Skype on your mobile device, place a call to skype on your PC Now you can use VoxCommando with the microphone from your mobile device

Additional Notes:

Sending audio back

It is also possible to stream any audio output to your mobile device. Select the output in your audio application as "Line 2 (Virtual Audio Cable)"

You can send TTS (text to speech) responses from VoxCommando to your mobile device through skype

This way if you ask for the name of a song (for example) the answer will be spoken to you through your mobile device without disturbing the music on your main speakers.

• in VC open options and go to the "system" tab
• click the "TTS Settings" button
• click the "Advanced" button
• select "use this audio output device"
• set pulldown to "Line 2 (Virtual Audio Cable)"

The VAC Trial version has the following limitations:

• Supports up to 3 cables
• Adds female voice reminder each several seconds, that says "trial"
  • this may have a negative impact on recognition
• In other features and characteristics, trial version is identical to full version.

You can download the trial, or purchase the full version of VAC here:

http://software.muzychenko.net/eng/vac.htm#download